Tape measure

Abstract

A tape measure is described that is easy to handle, and capable of applying a brake on a winding drum and locking a measurement tape in an unwound condition by manipulation of a single flexible operating member ( 7 ) having a knob ( 4 ) thereon. A lock element ( 8 ) is provided on a forward portion of the operating member ( 7 ) and a brake element ( 9 ) is provided on a rear portion thereof. In a normal condition, the measurement tape ( 5 ) is freely unwindable, and after the tape pulled out, it is rewound by a spring (not shown). When the knob ( 4 ) is in a rearward circumferential position, and the knob ( 4 ) is pressed in during rewinding, the operating member ( 7 ) is deflected to cause the brake element ( 9 ) to contact an edge of the winding drum ( 6 ), thereby retarding the rewinding of the tape ( 5 ). If the knob ( 4 ) is moved to a forward position while the tape is in an extended position, then the operating member ( 8 ) is deflected to cause the lock element ( 8 ) to force the tape ( 5 ) against a receiving section ( 18 ) so that the tape ( 5 ) is locked in the extended position.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A tape measure comprising: 
       a main case;  
       a winding drum having a measuring tape wound thereon, said winding drum rotatable in said main case to allow unwinding and rewinding of said measuring tape thereon;  
       a flexible operating member, slidable on a side face of said main case to be movable circumferentially between a forward and rearward circumferential position thereon;  
       a braking piece on a rear portion of said operating member; and,  
       a locking piece on a front portion of said operating member, wherein a braking action is provided by means of said braking piece making contact with a periphery of said winding drum when said operating member is pressed radially inward when in said rearward circumferential position thereof to bend said operating member so as to deflect said rear portion of said operating member radially inward, and said measuring tape is locked by means of said locking piece being pressed against said measuring tape when said operating member is moved circumferentially to said forward position thereof.  
     
     
       2. The tape measure according to  claim 1 , wherein said operating member includes a lock position holding projection, and said operating member is held in a lock position by means of said lock position holding projection engaging with the main case, when said operating member is moved to the forward position. 
     
     
       3. The tape measure according to  claim 1 , wherein an engaging member which is engageable with an engaging member provided on the main case is provided in the rear portion of said operating member. 
     
     
       4. The tape measure according to  claim 1 , wherein said operating member has a curved shape which follows the outer circumference of said winding drum. 
     
     
       5. The tape measure according to  claim 1 , wherein said operating member is made from a flexible synthetic resin. 
     
     
       6. The tape measure according to  claim 5 , wherein said operating member is made from polyacetal. 
     
     
       7. The tape measure according to  claim 1 , wherein said main case includes a receiving section such that said measuring tape can be held between said locking piece and said receiving section. 
     
     
       8. The tape measure according to  claim 1 , wherein a guide section for guiding the movement of said operating member is provided in said main case, and the side faces of said operating member are slidably in contact with said guide section. 
     
     
       9. The tape measure according to  claim 8 , wherein a pair of said guide sections are provided on the inner side and outer side in the radial direction, a groove being formed in the position between these guide sections, and a flange section provided on said operating member being accommodated in said groove. 
     
     
       10. The tape measure according to  claim 9 , wherein a lock position holding projection is provided on said flange section, and said lock position holding projection engages with the end portion of said guide section provided on the inner side in the radial direction, whereby said measuring tape is held locked. 
     
     
       11. A tape measure comprising: 
       a winding drum having a tension spring for automatically winding in a drum out measuring tape, accommodated inside a main case; and  
       an operating member for imparting a braking or locking action by making contact with said winding drum or said measuring tape,  
       wherein said operating member is installed to be movable circumferentially between forward and backward circumferential positions on said main case, and said operating member is formed in a curved shape and of a flexible material, a braking piece on a rear portion of said operating member, a locking piece on a front portion thereof, and a knob projecting from said main case on a middle portion of said operating member, said operating member when in said rearward position and released assuming a state of non-contact with either said winding drum or said measuring tape, thereby allowing said measuring tape to be drawn out or wound in freely, said operating member being configured such that when said knob is pressed radially inward from said a released state, the front portion of said operating member is bent to move said braking piece radially inward to make contact with the periphery of said winding drum, thereby applying a brake force to said measuring tape, said operating member further configured such that when said knob is moved circumferentially to an intermediate position, and said operating member is likewise moved to an intermediate between said rearward and forward position, said locking piece makes contact with said measuring tape, thereby applying a brake force to said measuring tape, said operating lever still further configured such that when said knob is moved circumferentially to a forward position, said operating member likewise being moved to said forward position, said forward portion of said operating member is caused to be bent, and said measuring tape being is held between said locking piece and said main case, thereby locking said measuring tape, when said knob is moved to said forward position.  
     
     
       12. The tape measure according to  claim 11 , wherein said operating member includes a lock position holding projection, and said lock position holding projection engages with said main case, thereby holding said operating member in a lock position, when said operating member is moved to the forward position. 
     
     
       13. The tape measure according to  claim 11 , wherein an engaging section which is engageable with an engaging section provided on said main case is provided in the rear portion of said operating member, said engaging section of said operating member being engaged, thereby restricting the forward and backward circumferential movement of said operating member, in a normal state in which said knob is released, and said engagement being released when pressure is applied to said knob. 
     
     
       14. The tape measure according to  claim 11 , wherein said operating member has a curved shape following the outer circumference of said winding drum. 
     
     
       15. The tape measure according to  claim 11 , wherein said main case includes a receiving section in order that said measuring tape can be held between said locking piece and said receiving section. 
     
     
       16. The tape measure according to  claim 11 , wherein a guide section for guiding the movement of said operating member is provided in said main case, and the side faces of said operating member are slidably in contact with said guide section. 
     
     
       17. The tape measure according to  claim 16 , wherein a pair of said guide sections are provided on the inner side and outer side in the radial direction, a groove being formed in the position between these guide sections, and a flange section provided on said operating member being accommodated in said groove. 
     
     
       18. The tape measure according to  claim 17 , wherein a lock position holding projection is provided on said flange section, and said lock position holding projection engages with the end portion of said guide section provided on the inner side in the radial direction, thereby locking said measuring tape in position.